Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales!

In honor of Black Friday, I am joining others by putting my entire TPT store on sale starting today Friday, November 29 and into this weekend!

You can save 20% on EVERY item in my store! Or you could wait until the big...

Come back for Cyber Monday {and Tuesday!} for even more discounts and sales!! Use the coupon code CYBER for an additional 10% off your purchase on TpT Monday and Tuesday only!  Check out some of my top selling holiday packets below...

Again, everything including bundled sets, will be on sale this weekend and into the Cyber Monday sale!  I am so excited and hope you are too!  Have a great weekend friends!-Yvonne 

Addition Strategies, Data Team Goals, and More!

We have hit the ground running this week working on addition strategies for our Operations and Algebraic Thinking Unit.  I am sure a lot of you are doing data teams and setting grade level data team goals.  My second grade team met a week or so ago and decided to really push numbers and operations as our focus unit.
I enjoy teaching addition and subtraction strategies to second graders because they can handle the idea of math journaling to explain their strategies.  You can really hold them accountable for solving the problems and explaining their thinking to others.  Today we worked on our Addition Strategies, Properties, and Pictures Flip Flap Fold Booklet to review the strategies we've learned so far.

I LOVE to do foldables with my students!!! So simple and they offer great teaching opportunities.
Foldables give students a chance to create graphic organizers for all subjects.  We worked on the strategies sections today and plan to complete the properties and pictures flips tomorrow.  Here is one of my groups working on their booklets...

They did a great job matching up the strategies with their descriptions and equation examples.  I had my kids use the flip and fold option that has the strategies, pictures, and properties all in one.  

Some might want to make two separate flip and fold booklets to teach them at different times.  Because we've already worked quite a bit on these, I knew my students would be fine with combining them altogether.

I had a conversation with a co-teacher this week about teaching strategies.  There are many different ways teachers express the strategies using different language and vocabulary.  Ultimately, what our students need to really know are the basic strategies such as their doubles and ways to make ten.  

I enjoy using my strategy posters to help my students with addition and subtraction strategies.  Once we are solid with our basic facts, we move into adding and subtracting larger values using pictures and properties.  Here is my Math Fact Fun Resources packet that we use for fact practice, buddy activities, and strategy fun!

I'd love for you to check it out and let me know what you think.  I'd also love to hear what cool ideas you have for teaching addition and subtraction strategies to your students. Thanks for stopping by.

Have a great week!-Yvonne

Place Value Tubs!

Sending home report cards tomorrow to end our first nine weeks of school! Can't believe it is October already!   It has been an awesome start to a school year I must say.  I have a dream class of 25 sweeties and to top it off I was surprised to have been chosen as teacher of the year for my school several weeks ago!  What an honor!!!  All I can say is...God is good!  Just when you least expect it...blessings come your way.  My philosophy has been and always will be that WE ALL deserve to be called teachers of the year because of the dedication, time,  and love we all give our students!!!

We've spent these first nine weeks working diligently on place value and sense of number.   Most students continue to work on place value throughout the year so I wanted to share with you all two new tiered tubs for differentiation.  I always start the first week of school introducing different ways to write number forms.  My students start with smaller values and work their way up to greater values by writing standard, expanded, and written forms of numbers.  We also begin to build numbers immediately using base ten blocks and tens frames.  This math tub helped me to see who had mastered number sense and different number forms.  I used this as an assessment to prepare for report cards.  I'd love for you to look at my Number Form Puzzles geared towards K-2 levels.

The other tiered tub I'd love for you to check out is my Base Ten Mystery Match!  I just posted this and think you will LOVE it!  This tub told me SOOO much about my students and their sense of number. Students match two different sets of base ten blocks in value.  I was able to see who really understood that 10 tens is the same a 100 and 10 hundreds equals a 1,000 block.  A little more advanced and a great tub for the end of our place value unit.  Here you go!

Again, these tubs are tiered based on how your students do on the pretest included.  There are 3 levels in each tub.   I love being able to meet my students on their own levels, yet challenge them to move up in levels.  For me, tiered tubs make differentiation SOOO much easier in Math and they give me the evidence I need to show parents how their children are doing in conferences.  I've had so many requests for more tubs, especially on the 3rd grade level.  I'd love for you to check them out.  Let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks so much and have a great week!-Yvonne

Jump Into School with a Sale!

Hi everyone!  Started school eight days ago with my 25 little sweeties and am LOVING my new group.  Lots of cutie pies who love to hug and give sweet notes. Great way to start the year!  If you have already started back, I hope you are enjoying your new babes as well.

SOOO excited to announce that on Sunday the 18th and Monday the 19th... TpT is having our annual BACK TO SCHOOL SALE!  Everything in my store will be 20% off and you will get an additional percentage off offering you amazing discounts up to 28% off on all of your teaching packets! 

 Remember to type in your promo code BTS13 to get all of your discounts.

The day before preplanning I whipped up this little bulletin board set for my hallway display.  Nothing fancy...just a little something if you would like to grab your own.  My theme is...Jump Into 2nd Grade!  I thought it would serve the purpose of going back to school and a fall display.  I try to keep things in my hallway that are seasonal so I don't have to change them often. Sorry about the lighting and angle of the pictures....I took the pics after school after the custodians had turned out the hallway lights and I couldn't back up anymore to get a full shot. Click HERE or on the picture if you want to grab your own.  Instead of Mrs. Dixon's Class you can use the poster that says "Welcome To Our 2nd Grade Class" or 4th grade or whatever grade you teach! 

You might have noticed that we have stories hanging from our hooks.  These are our first writings for the year!  Last week I had my students do a writing sample from a prompt.  I used my Writing Workshop Prompts for a Complete School Year tickets.  Here is the prompt I gave them from our pocket chart:

They were really pumped about this!  We brainstormed and talked about what it means to write a narrative and what all is included in a narrative piece.  Once they brainstormed their ideas on a web they wrote their stories on their publishing page or final copy page and cut out their own prompt tickets to staple to the front of their stories...

Each month I am placing my prompts in our Writing Workshop pocket chart.  Once students are more experienced with the three types of writing and how to use our graphic organizers they will choose their prompt for the week and write during our "Write to Self" time...

Students will conference with me during teacher table time or small groups.  So excited about using these prompts this year along with my graphic organizers for writing!

I've had an unbelievable response to my Common Core Daily Practice Sheets for Second Grade!  Thank you!  Many of y'all have asked for bundled packets for the school year.  I am tickled to offer you my seasonal packets that include both Math and ELA practice sheets for each month of the school year!  Click HERE or on the pictures to check them out!  My students really enjoyed these this past school year and I look forward to having them again.  Here is my Fall Bundle...

I also have a Winter and Spring Bundle to complete the entire school year...

Spring Bundle...

Of course you can buy these individually if you would prefer certain months over others.

These are just a few of the goodies I have on sale for you starting Sunday!  I hope you will consider these in addition to my other teaching packets.  Click on the pictures below if you'd like to take a peek at some of my other items and best sellers.  I can't wait to grab some goodies from my TpT friends. 

Have a wonderful weekend and have fun shopping!-Yvonne

Writing Is My Focus!

Good morning!  Starting off my day with a wonderful cup of coffee thinking about the fact that in two weeks I will be back in my classroom with my little second grade sweeties.  I've been to my classroom a couple of times already this summer but REALLY need to get up there this week to organize and clean. My book bins are a mess!  

Every year we all go back with exciting ideas and things we want to try a little differently...right??? Well, my main focus this year is... Writing Workshop.  For the past couple of years I have noticed that my Writing Workshop time is getting less and less attention due to scheduling and what seems like less instructional time in our days!!!

Not this year!   My plan is to write, write, write!!!  I LOVE reading groups!  Being a former Reading Recovery teacher, reading is my passion.  Writing has always come hand in hand with reading instruction for me.  The natural discussion that comes from reading books provides wonderful writing experiences for individual instruction and group times.  We write about story characters, responses to literature, point of view, and informational topics. My students love to write to themselves while I teach groups.  It is great to have a station in the room full of books, graphic organizers, writing supplies and materials to assist them with whatever writing topic they are working on...papers, index cards, envelopes, scissors, glue, stickers, etc...  Writing Workshop can mean different things to different teachers.  For me it includes teacher read alouds of books for ideas to write about, group discussions of read to self materials for written response, and independent write to self times during centers.

This year I have a couple of new resources to help me out and I am SOOOO glad I made these this summer! My writing posters were looking a little sad so I made these FREEBIES above if you'd like to grab them.  I plan to place these behind my group table so we can constantly discuss the components of each type of writing. 

The other resource I am THRILLED about is my Writing Workshop Prompts for a Complete School Year!  I have put together a packet that will support me through the entire school year with not just writing prompts but...DETAILED writing prompts!  I have made STUDENT TICKETS that match each prompt for my students to cut/staple to their stories.  Now this is the part that will help me the most...not necessarily the prompt card but the student ticket.   While I am teaching my writing/reading groups the other students will work on their write to self stories.  Each will go to the Writing Center and choose a topic.  After completing their pre-write organizers and working on their rough drafts independently...each will conference with a peer first, then come to me for editing. Students will read their stories to me and we will have discussions making sure each question on the prompt ticket has been addressed.  If not...I can circle or highlight the question on the prompt ticket and have the students take it back to their seats or work with me at my table.  It will eliminate some of the question writing such as ..."Who are the characters?  How did this make you feel?  What comes next? and How does this story end?"  Basically, it speeds up your conferencing by not having to write all of the questions.     Here is an example of one of the task cards so you can see the questioning... 

I'd love for you to look at my preview of this packet.  Just having the prompts ready to go and materials set up at my Writing Workshop table will save me so much time and energy!!!  My focus can be on "How to Teach/Model Writing" and "Student Conferencing" instead of which topics to write about.  My reading materials will support these seasonal topics throughout the year.  Science and Social Studies topics are also integrated into the prompts which will save me time as well.   I'd love to hear how you all do your Writing Workshop in your classrooms.  Let me know.  Thanks!-Yvonne

4th of July Sale!

I hope everyone has a fabulous Fourth of July this week!  We plan to spend Thursday with friends cooking out and shooting our own fireworks.   I'd love for you to check out my new August and September Common Core Practice Packets for Second Grade along with all of my other back to school goodies.  I've also posted my new Back to School Number Bonds Tiered Math Tub. 

Check out the preview below.

  Everything is 20% off through Thursday!  

Hope you are enjoying your summer!-Yvonne

SassyKidz Beach Freebies!

Whew...one more day with my kiddos!  Yes...tomorrow is our last day of school!!!  I am sad to see my students go but...oh so ready for things to slow down a little.  These past few weeks have been 

C-R-A-Z-Y 

with assessments, project-based learning activities, and our end of the year activities!  One thing I've enjoyed in the evenings to help me unwind from these final and hectic days of the school year is doodling!  Yes, I am a doodler and I find it very relaxing to draw on my ipad in the evenings.   I have been playing around with some graphics and have named the kiddies below as my...SassyKidz!  If you need some clip art for your beach-themed goodies then you might like this free download.  Here you go!  Just click on the picture for the freebie link.  Hope you can use them!-Yvonne :)

 On another note...I've had several teachers asking about my Common Core Daily Practice packets for August through December!  I can't wait to get started on those this next week once I am finished with post-planning!  I will offer some type of bundle sets so please keep posted this summer.  

Everyone has been so sweet with their comments and feedback on my January through May packets.   Check out some of the comments below from teachers who have purchased these packets.  Thanks so much!-Yvonne :)

very rigorous for the end of second grade!

These are great for morning work, it helps my students practice all they learned this year.

 Thanks so much for creating these! They have saved me a ton of time and my kiddos really look forward to them!

Had to get this one too!! Awesome work!!! Looking forward to August, September, October, and November

Awesome, I've been using it daily as my classes bell work. Thanks for making my morning easier to prepare.

Teacher Appreciation Sale!

HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!   I hope you all have a blessed week and feel the love from your students, parents, and faculty!  You should know how valuable you are and what a difference you make in your student's lives each day.  Your dedication to education is something you should be proud of!!!

As a way to say "thank you" for all you do...TpT is having a Teacher Appreciation Sale this Tuesday, May 7th and Wednesday May 8th!  I hope you are ready to shop!!!  I know I am!   I LOVE a sale and plan to buy lots of goodies to end this school year in addition to materials to prepare for next year!!!  I've spent my morning filling up my shopping cart on TpT! :)  

In honor of the Teacher Appreciation Sale for TpT, I am offering all items in my store for 20% off!  This is my way of saying "I appreciate you" for following me here on Sassy in Second and on TpT!  Remember to enter the check-out code TAD13 to receive an additional amount off.  You will get up to 28% off your purchases.  You deserve it!

I really appreciate Beth from Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah Designs for the adorable picture above advertising the sale.  She was so sweet to share.  

Have a great week friends!!!

                                                        Yvonne

Poems for Fluency Fun!

Hi everyone!  In honor of National Poetry Month (April) I wanted to share with you the beauty of using poems to teach fluency!!!  

I love my weekly reading fluency passages and have used them faithfully but nothing has helped my 2nd graders this year as much as "Performance Poetry Readings" with our Scholastic poetry.   I just started a few weeks ago and so far the difference has been amazing!  I pull a poem for the week to teach spelling patterns and rhyme and to model expression with new vocabulary.  Click on the book above to get your own copy from Amazon.

I usually begin on Mondays by modeling or introducing the poem for the week to the whole class.  My students practice the poem each night for homework and "perform" for the class on Fridays.  It is so much fun because they are expected to read with expression through acting out the poems or using props.  It has been fun watching my kiddos emerge from "robot readers" to "expressive poets". I suggest you give it a try with your class if fluency is an issue.  The repetition and rhyme has done wonders for some of my second grade babes who lack confidence as readers of regular repeated reading passages or just need to try something else.

Here are some links to give you ideas.  I love the article...Looking for a Great Way to Practice Reading Fluency? Think Poetry! by Julie Niles Peterson.  I read this a month ago and decided to give "Performance Poetry" a whirl with my kids.  Again, I use the poems to get spelling words and patterns for the week as well.   Poems can be incorporated into all subject areas and are so much fun for teaching informational topics!  Here you go...

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/poetry-printables

http://www.scholasticdealer.com/prodimages/sample/943826.pdf

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/18-books-poetry-month

I hope you had a Happy Poetry Month this April!-Yvonne 

Super Sunday Sale!

Are you ready for some football???  How about...are you ready for some shopping???  I am excited to announce a fabulous sale TeacherspayTeachers is having this coming Sunday (Super Bowl Sunday)! This is a great opportunity for you to grab those Valentine's Day centers or activities for the next couple of months.  I will have all of my products listed in my store at 20% off.  If you use the promotion code (SUPER), TPT will take off an additional amount to make your savings up to 28%!   I encourage you to check out our stores and see what deals you can find.  Be sure you use the promotion code... (SUPER) or you won't get the additional percentage off!  I am shopping now and adding some amazing items to my cart!  I personally love all of the new graphics Tpt sellers are offering now and  can't wait to grab some darling sets for future teaching materials.  I'd like to thank Lindsey at Primary Polka Dots for her precious image above advertising the sale!  Happy shopping everyone!-Yvonne

February Freebies!

Happy Monday everyone!  Just got home from taking my son to the doctor and had a few minutes to share some goodies with you.  Last year I made my Valentine's Day Centers and Activities.  Many of the borders and frames were my own designs.  I am no "pro" at graphic design...so these are nothing fancy.  I just thought some of you might could use them to "create and make" your own materials.    Below is a preview of the borders and my centers to show how I used them...

If you'd like to download these frames/borders from my TpT store, click HERE! 

Also...if you haven't already downloaded my primary freebie, be sure you check it out.  My Valentine's Day Digit Values Tiered Math Tub is available for you if you need something for differentiation in math.  I LOVE my tiered tubs and hope you can use them as well.

Last but not least...if you need daily practice of Common Core Skills for 2nd grade, be sure you check out my Common Core Daily Practice for February!  Not a freebie, but I wanted to let you know it is ready and posted!  I've had lots of requests for this second packet from friends who bought my January packet!  

I am thrilled to say my students LOVE these.  We use one each morning for spiral review of CCSS.  It is finally finished...just in time for February!    Hope you can use some of these resources with your own kiddos.  Let me know if you have any questions about any of my teaching materials or teaching methods in my classroom.  Have a great day and a fabulous week!-Yvonne